San Diego FC are all set to kick off their first-ever MLS match on Sunday once they tackle the reigning MLS Cup champions LA Galaxy at Snapdragon Stadium.
San Diego, led by head coach Mikey Varas, are the thirtieth group in MLS and enter the league in its thirtieth season. Former Mexico worldwide midfielder Chucky Lozano and present USMNT midfielder Luca de la Torre will lead the group into the primary match, which shall be an emotional and rivalry-filled day in California.
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Outdoors of their two stars, search for former New York Purple Bulls defender Andrés Reyes to play a key position. Anders Dreyer, a 26-year-old winger who stood out within the Belgian prime flight final season, can be trying to go away his mark on the match.
The enlargement facet may additionally be catching the Galaxy at a weak level. Head coach Greg Vanney shall be with out celebrity attacking skills Riqui Puig and Joseph Paintsil as a consequence of damage, and his championship roster has since misplaced Mark Delgado, Gastón Brugman and Dejan Joveljić.
Regardless of the departures, the Galaxy strengthened within the offseason, including striker Christian Ramirez from Columbus Crew SC, Matheus Nascimento (on mortgage from Botafogo), Lucas Sanabria and Mathias Jørgensen.
LA led the Western Convention with 69 common season targets final season however completed second within the desk behind LAFC. They’ve additionally not gained their season-opening match since 2022.
Right here’s how the most recent MLS facet and one of many oldest may line up on Sunday.
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GK: CJ Dos Santos—San Diego FC has gone with inexperience in web, with former Inter Miami third keeper CJ Dos Santos set to make his debut after three appearances with Miami’s first group.
RB: Willy Kumado—The 22-year-old Ghanaian proper again comes from a stint within the Danish prime division.
CB: Andrés Reyes—Reyes arrives as a key center-back addition after enjoying a pivotal position with the Jap Convention champion New York Purple Bulls in 2024.
CB: Paddy McNair—The previous Premier League defender joins San Diego after a spell with West Brom within the EFL Championship.
LB: Franco Negri—Negri additionally is available in from Inter Miami, the place he had 5 objective contributions in 32 appearances.
CDM: Jeppe Tverskov—The 31-year-old defensive midfielder will play his first aggressive match for a non-Danish membership on Sunday.
CM: Luca de la Torre—A USMNT midfielder, de la Torre arrives on mortgage from Celta Vigo.
CM: Onni Valakari—Finland’s Valakari additionally arrives on mortgage, becoming a member of from Cypriot facet Pafos FC.
RW: Anders Dreyer—The 26-year-old Denmark worldwide stood out in preseason.
ST: Marcus Ingvartsen—Becoming a member of from sister membership FC Nordsjælland, he’s a towering striker who has scored 80 targets in 274 skilled appearances.
LW: Chucky Lozano—The previous Mexico worldwide was the membership’s first-ever signing.
GK: John McCarthy—The 32-year-old MLS veteran returns after enjoying 32 common season matches in 2024.
RB: Miki Yamane—The 31-year-old Japan worldwide begins the second yr of a three-year deal.
CB: Maya Yoshida—The previous Japan worldwide was important to LA’s playoff stinginess.
CB: Emiro Garcés—After becoming a member of in the summertime of 2024, Garcés performed in 5 playoff video games with the Galaxy.
LB: John Nelson—After successful MLS Cup, Nelson enters his second season with the Galaxy. He’s performed for 4 MLS golf equipment however has solely performed two seasons on the identical place as soon as.
CDM: Edwin Cerrillo—Previously of FC Dallas, the 24-year-old proved to be the most effective ball-winners in MLS in 2024.
CDM: Lucas Sanabria—A U-22 Initiative participant, he joined from Uruguayan giants Nacional.
RM: Gabriel Pec—Considered one of LA’s key attackers in 2024, Pec scored 19 targets within the common season and playoffs.
CAM: Marco Reus —The Borussia Dortmund legend returns for his first full MLS season after successful his first league title.
LM: Diego Fagúndez—With 392 MLS appearances, Fagúndez stays a key versatile piece for the Galaxy.
ST: Christian Ramirez—A cash-for-player switch, Ramirez joins the Galaxy from Columbus Crew SC, the place he scored 9 targets in 2024.